People's Plan for Nature
Find out more about the assembly's recommendations by visiting the People's Plan for Nature website
News
Public calls for urgent action on the nature crisis
- Published:
- 23 March 2023
- Last updated:
- 09 October 2023
The public is demanding urgent change to protect the natural world after the first UK-wide citizens' assembly for nature. The People's Plan for Nature has set out recommendations to address the shocking declines in nature and is calling for action to be taken by every part of society.
The People's Plan for Nature, created by a citizens' assembly of 100 people from all over the UK, aims to turn the tide on decades of damage to wildlife and habitats. It's challenging governments, businesses, charities, communities and individuals to meet a public demand for change.
The assembly says there must be 'no more harm to nature' and outlines the need for a fundamental shift in how we value nature, and why it needs to be considered at all levels of decision-making.
Top recommendations
- All commerical and government policy decisions must take into account the potential impacts on nature.
- An overhaul of current farming subsidy arrangements to prioritise sustainable and nature-friendly farming.
- Greater government accountability by setting up a permanent Assembly for Nature made up of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), industry and members of the public.
Our response
Our response to the People's Plan for Nature champions recommendations that will transform nature. We're calling for robust environmental governance across the UK, nature-friendly food production and more space for nature alongside people. Read our full response and find out how we'll be supporting the plan's ambitions.
Standing up for nature with Nature neighbourhoods
A new initiative will support 18 community organisations across the UK to create people-powered plans for nature in their neighbourhoods.
The Nature Neighbourhoods project will focus on urban areas and help organisations, from community centres to food growing collectives, bring local people, businesses, and decision makers together to ensure climate and nature are an essential part of future planning.
The two-year programme, delivered by RSPB, the National Trust and WWF, follows calls made by the People's Plan for Nature for more investment to help people protect and renew nature in their local areas.
The project has been supported by a £750,000 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund and a further £300,000 from Co-op, which is also providing on-the-ground support through its members.
As nature does not have its own voice, it is so important to have a citizens’ assembly.
A quote by DanielPeople's Plan for Nature assembly participant
How was the People's Plan for Nature created?
The assembly's plan was created following input from the public. It included an open call for ideas which received 30,000 responses and a citizens' assembly of 100 people came together to review the state of nature and agree on the action needed to save it. The assembly was brought together by the National Trust, RSPB and WWF and independently run by Involve and the Sortition Foundation.
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Meet the people with a plan for nature
The people who took part in the citizens' assembly talk about their shared vision for the future of nature and the role we all have to play in protecting it.
We must act now – and the most powerful thing we can do is use our voices, collectively. So let’s join this fight together and bring our nature back to life.
A quote by Maisie Williams Actor, activist and producer
What happens next?
The National Trust, RSPB and WWF have responded in full to the assembly's recommendations and are calling on governments, businesses, nature charities and community groups to consider, respond and act on the public's plan.
Harry Bowell, Director of Land and Nature at the National Trust, said: 'We see huge opportunities for the National Trust to make a significant contribution and fully commit to playing our role in support of the citizens' recommendations.
'We warmly welcome the People's Plan for Nature and see it as a landmark contribution from the UK public to help nature renewal. Everyone who cares about nature should read this document. The report is wide-ranging and the citizens set out calls to action for many different sectors to play their part in supporting nature’s recovery.'
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